That By Discord Things Increase

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a stark portrait of profound self-estrangement and internal decay. The narrator feels disconnected from their own identity, describing themselves as "a stranger to myself" and unable to "feel myself in my own skin." This sense of loss is amplified by the imagery of a "desert losing sand," suggesting a gradual, irreversible disintegration of self. The world outside is perceived through "other's thoughts," further blurring the line between genuine self and external influence, leading to a feeling of being "trapped in this tainted head." The central tension arises from the conflict between an overwhelming sense of internal decline and a desperate, albeit uncertain, search for external validation or answers. The narrator questions their own fundamental nature, asking "Or am I simply wired wrong?" This existential doubt is compounded by the feeling of being "diminished" and "adrift," with the "pattern's ripped." Despite this internal chaos, the narrator repeatedly turns to the stars, seeking external guidance to understand if their past self still exists within them. The recurring refrain, "The polarity in all we see / Is tempered by an inward beat," introduces a fascinating paradox. It suggests that external perception is shaped by an internal state, yet the narrator feels their own internal state is fundamentally broken. The repeated plea, "I look to the stars for the answers," becomes a poignant symbol of this struggle, highlighting a yearning for clarity and self-understanding that cannot be found within their own fractured consciousness. The final lines, "That by discord things increase," offer a bleak, almost fatalistic conclusion, implying that conflict and internal strife are the very forces that drive growth, even if that growth is perceived as destructive. This lyrical landscape is effective because it grounds abstract feelings of alienation and existential dread in concrete, visceral imagery. The contrast between the vastness of the "stars" and the confined "tainted head" creates a powerful emotional resonance. The narrator's honest questioning of their own wiring and the persistent, almost ritualistic search for answers outside themselves make the experience of profound self-doubt feel both specific and deeply felt, capturing the unsettling feeling of losing grip on one's own identity.